OPINIONS

Eric Jackson previews the Spring 2012 issue of Global Trader Magazine

Eric Jackson
Editor, Global Trader
http://www.gtglobaltrader.com/

Post date: Friday, 4th May 2012

Africa, once a continent written off as a basket-case, where war, corruption and poverty were considered the norms rather than the exceptions, has gradually begun to look rather appealing.

Some of the old problems, of course, still persist – from Nigeria’s ethnic and religious conflicts in the west to Somalia’s piracy and anarchy in the east – but the negatives are being outweighed by the many positives.

Such as spectacular growth in many of Africa’s countries, including Nigeria and its close neighbour Ghana, along with South Africa, Uganda and Angola to name just a few.

And in place of the old-style planned economies, free markets are being introduced at the same time as democracy is replacing tyranny – especially in the north where the Arab Spring in taking hold. No wonder former government cabinet minister Baroness Chalker says that this is ‘Africa’s time.’

The Chinese certainly think so – they have invested heavily in the continent, stealing a march on the UK and its European neighbours.

But the wake-up call has been sounded by the UK government who are actively encouraging UK firms to make Africa their goal. Companies such as Design International UK, the people behind the Morocco Mall, and international freight firm ALS, who have invested heavily in the growing market.

To quote Baroness Chalker in this edition: Why Africa? Why not?